Smith Should Be Held to a Higher Standard

Voters in this city, and in Everett, we assume, expect their elected public representatives to not only follow the law but to be pristine in their private affairs.

Regrettably, this is not the case with Smith in this instance and again, it is a let down as we have all come to expect more from those we send to Beacon Hill to make the laws in this state.

Building inspectors here descended upon Smith’s buildings and conducted inspections last week. When all was said and done, inspectors found that Smith had converted two legal six family homes into two 12 unit apartment houses without taking out permits. In addition to zoning and permit violations, Smith’s buildings did not have smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors.

“It’s a slap in the face of Revere having an elected public official from Everett come over here and do this,” Doherty said last week.

Chief Doherty is right.

We urge Smith to get his Revere buildings up to code and for him to follow zoning laws in our city or wherever he owns property like everyone else.

It is uncharacteristic for a member of the House of Representatives from Everett to cast such a negative light on himself and his city but this is exactly what happens when a rep doesn’t follow the law in Revere or in any Massachusetts city or town.

Smith should set the example not be the bad example as he is right now.